11-year-old and 16-year-old charged with arson at former Transfiguration School in Syracuse

Syracuse, NY -- Within an hour of a fire being reported Wednesday night in the former Transfiguration School, two youths, ages 11 and 16, were charged with burglary and arson, both felonies.

The fire was reported about 6:15 p.m. Wednesday at the parochial school building, 131 Vann St., said Lt. Joe Galloway, a Syracuse fire investigator. Inside the school, firefighters found two intentionally set fires, one in the basement and one in the school's kitchen, Galloway said.

The fire in the kitchen caused moderate damage to the two-and-a-half story building, he said.

Witnesses told police and firefighters at the scene that they saw two boys run from the building and go into a residence, Galloway said. The residence turned out to be the 11-year-old's home, he said.

Syracuse police records state the 16-year-old charged is Cory E. Peters, of 200 Melrose Ave. The 11-year-old's name was not released because of his age.